Friday, April 8, 2016

CD Review: New Sweet Soul Music From Charles Bradley, The Bo-Keys and Ozonna

R&B/Soul singer Charles Bradley recently released his latest album
"Changes" on April 1st. It is only his third full-length studio album in
twenty years, but Bradley knows how make his music last a lifetime. His new eleven-song release begins with
a prayer for "God Bless America" as Bradley's emotions are poured into
this short 90-second introduction. He continues with the James Brown
impersonation of "Good To Be Back Home" and the soulful tones of "Nobody
But You." Charles Bradley takes on an odd cover of Black Sabbath's
"Changes" with amazing results, showcasing the heart and emotion of the
song's lyrics as Bradley delivers a career defining moment on his new
release. Bradley brings in the funk for "Ain't It A Sin," before
delivering the sixties soul of "Crazy For Your Love." The album finishes
with the horn-fueled R&B swing of "Changed The World" and the strong,
emotional delivery of "Slow Love." To find out more about Charles
Bradley and his new album "Changes," please visit thecharlesbradley.com.

The Memphis, TN soul/jazz band The Bo-Keys return with their first,
full-length studio album of new recordings in half-a-decade. The new
release titled "Heartaches By The Numbers" is The Bo-Keys tribute to the
country and soul jukebox singles that helped inspire the band's iconic
sound. Beginning with the Ray Price song, "Heartaches By The Numbers,"
The Bo-Keys will get you up on your feet moving to the song's
soul-swinging rhythm. They turn Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could
Cry" into an R&B classic as they slow the medley down for the song's bluesy words. The Bo-Keys
add some soul to the heartfelt lyrics of Bob Dylan's "I Threw It All Away,"
then they pick the tempo up for the sixties R&B feel that's added to
Johnny Paycheck's "Don't Take Her (She's All I Got)" with help from The
Masqueraders singing group. The new ten-song release finishes with a
spot-on cover of Freddie Fender's "Wasted Day And Wasted Nights" and the
instrumental "Last Date" originally written by Floyd Cramer. To find
out more about The Bo-Keys and their latest release "Heartaches By The
Number," please visit thebokeys.com.

From London comes the debut EP from R&B/soul singer Ozonna titled "Believe It To See It." It features five songs that combines elements of pop, dance and African rhythms to create an infection groove to songs like "Wonderland" (video: youtube.com) and "Corrupt Mind." The lead single from this release is the title-song, "Believe It To See It" as the beats will take over the dance floor as Ozonna delivers his smooth vocals. To find out more about Ozonna and his latest release "Believe It To See It," please visit ozonna.com.